The office of Armenia’s third president, Serzh Sargsyan, has shared key excerpts from his messages on Army Day since 2018, emphasizing the vital role of the armed forces in national survival.

“Any nation and state is doomed to non-existence unless it understands that the primary guarantor of its being is the army. No army means no state, and there will be none.

No foreign army, no matter how friendly it is, will defend a nation’s borders like the soldier who protects his homeland, state, and parents.

The glorious path of the Armenian Army is not just indelible history but an objective reality that exists regardless of differing perceptions.

The army is invincible when led by those who are brave in spirit and possess honor and national dignity.

The enemy has witnessed the victorious spirit of the Armenian army, seen and feared the unimaginable heroism of Armenian soldiers when the army had worthy commanders.

To those who disparage and distrust the army today, I say once again: you do not know the real Armenian army.

Those who call our once-powerful, enemy-defeating army a myth intentionally insult the memory of thousands of brave souls and deliberately sow despair among our people.

Today’s rulers of Armenia have launched a so-called ‘transformation’ of the army, which is in fact an attempt to remake the army in their own image, ultimately a step toward its destruction.

Beloved Armenian Army, our dear child, straighten your back, clench your pain between your teeth, and look forward, learning from the past.

I bow before the immortal memory of all our heroes, those who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of the Motherland, my many comrades-in-arms, our heroic brothers and sisters, sons and daughters.”

On the occasion of Army Day, a wreath was laid at the Yerablur Military Pantheon on behalf of Serzh Sargsyan in honor of the heroes who played a pivotal role in defending the homeland and building the army.